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The Philippines is a superstitious country. While most of us are skeptical, some (particularly the older generations) still believe in old beliefs and sayings. Since a lot of them involve spirits and dying, it’s no surprise that many of these tales resurface during Halloween.

Below is a list of old wives’ tales you may or may not have encountered in horror movies or scary stories around school and in the province.

1. Mirrors during a wake

If a wake is being held, all the mirrors should be hidden or covered with a cloth. Of course, this means that you shouldn’t look at yourself in the mirrors, either. This is because the dead might show himself on the other side of the glass.

2. Sukob

You shouldn’t get married on the same year a relative also got married or died. The reasoning behind this is a little blurry, but the probable result is bad luck or the death of a family member.

3. Headless shadow

If someone sees your shadow without a head, this means that you’re going to die soon. The same concept goes for photographs when a person’s head isn’t visible in the frame.

4. Three’s a crowd

As much as possible, don’t group yourselves into threes, especially when taking a photo. There’s a big possibility that the one in the middle might die.

5. Pagpag

After attending a wake, you shouldn’t go straight home. Take another route or wait for a few hours in a different place. If you don’t, spirits will follow you home and haunt you. Don’t bring home any food from the wake, either.

6. Footsteps behind you

If you’re walking alone and you hear footsteps behind you, do not look back. Why? Because a dead person might be following you. If you look back, you might die as well.

7. Candle flame

If a candle’s flame burns out for no reason at all or turns blue during the night before November 1, this means that there’s a spirit inside the house with you.

8. Black cat

Ah, the poor black cat. This seems to be a universal thing. Crossing paths with a black cat is a bad omen. It means that you’ll encounter bad luck for the rest of the day. The solution? Go back the way you came and stay inside the house. Just to be safe.

How many of these did you hear as a kid? Share your thoughts and tag us on Facebook and Instagram @iamclaireph.